THE HISTORY AND CULTIVATION OF THE ROSE. 29 



In 1789 the Chinese Rose (R. indica), was brought from 

 China, where it grows naturally, often to the height of 20 

 ft. This group is not so popular in the present day as 

 some others ; the varieties are, however, very valuable on 

 account of the profusion and constant succession of flowers 

 which they produce. The flowers are usually fine late in 

 the Autumn, the cold and wet at that season affecting 

 them less than the generality of Roses. From the Chinese 

 crossed with the Gallica or French Roses have sprung the 

 Hybrid Chinese, one of the finest groups of the whole. 

 From these, again crossed with the Bourbons and Damask 

 Perpetuals, have arisen another admirable group, the 

 Hybrid Perpetual. These are, in reality, Hybrid Chinese 

 continuing to flower during Autumn, and are very hardy 

 Roses. The Rose La Reine, of which there is a painting 

 before you, is one of the newest and best. Their growth is 

 vigorous, the flowers are large and handsome, and many of 

 them are well suited for cultivating in confined situations 

 where the more delicate kinds do not succeed well. The 

 Macartney Rose (R. bracteata) is also a native of China, 

 from whence it was brought in 1795. There are only two 

 of this group worthy the attention of the amateur 

 the single and Maria Leonida and these when planted 

 against a wall in a dry warm situation are surpassingly 

 beautiful. The Rosa Multiflora is indigenous to China 

 and Japan. It was introduced here in 1804. The hybrids 

 of this group, Russelliana and Laure Davoust, are beauti- 

 ful climbing Roses ; the latter is rather tender, and requires 

 a wall or good aspect. The Rosa Banksiae was brought 

 from China in 1807, and three years later the same 

 country furnished us with the Tea-Scented, of which the 

 Yellow Rose before you is one of the newest, and the tiny 

 Lawrenceana is from the same country. Beautiful little 

 Roses are these latter, exquisitely adapted for edgings to 

 Rose clumps. In 1817 the Noisette Rose was sent to 

 Paris from America, where it was supposed to have been 

 raised from a cross between R. Indica and R. Moschata. 



